Ozone Depletion- News and views about the current state of ozone depletion in the world

Researchers in Japan have clarified the crystal structure of quinol dependent nitric oxide reductase (qNOR), a bacterial enzyme that offers clues on the origins of our earliest oxygen-breathing ancestors. In addition to their importance to fundamental science, the findings provide key insights into the production of nitrogen oxide, an ozone-depleting and greenhouse gas hundreds of times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Extraordinarily cold temperatures in the winter of 2010/2011 caused the most massive destruction of the ozone layer above the Arctic so far: The mechanisms leading to the first ozone hole above the North Pole have now been investigated.

Researchers have rebuilt the ozone column trends recorded between 1978 and 2008 that rise up over the Iberian Peninsula. The results highlight the influence that the prohibition of aerosols and chlorofluorocarbon gases (CFC) has had.

New research suggests that ozone gas emitted from fracturing rocks could serve as an indicator of impending earthquakes.

NOAA's updated Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI), which measures the direct climate influence of many greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, shows a continued steady upward trend that began with the Industrial Revolution of the 1880s.

Planets orbiting one star in a stellar pair could get bounced from star to star repeatedly ? until they fall into the great beyond

The hacktivist group managed to a listen in on a FBI/Scotland Yard conference call

All today's stories on newscientist.com, including: high time to welcome the friendly drones and malaria may kill far more people than we thought

Stuff spewed out of Io's hyperactive volcanoes make the rings of auroral light on Jupiter's poles grow and shrink

See how circles made up of tilted squares can warp your perception

Congress: Harris seeks defense of 2010 editorial on hydraulic fracturing

Nanotechnology: New combination technique shows promise for spotting single-walled carbon nanotubes in the environment

Few studies have focused on the effects of biofuel use on biodiversity and human health

Forecast: Report predicts growth for domestic oil, gas, and renewables, and a decline for coal

Cellulosic Ethanol: Joint venture targets early profits, multiple locations